Criminal Justice

signed · Iowa · Senate May 13, 2026

SF 2114: A bill for an act relating to intimidation with a dangerous weapon, and making penalties applicable.

SF 2114 amends Iowa law to define intimidation involving a dangerous weapon as a felony, directly affecting anyone who threatens or shoots/throws such a weapon at others to cause fear of serious injury. It creates two felony classifications: Class C (up to 10 years in prison and up to $13,660 fine) for more severe cases, and Class D (up to 5 years and up to $10,245 fine) for less severe cases. The bill removes the previous reference to "assembly of people" but keeps the core offense of threatening with a weapon at individuals or occupied spaces (like buildings or vehicles). Penalties apply when the threat causes reasonable fear of serious injury or is carried out under circumstances that make the threat credible.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill elevates intimidation with dangerous weapon to felony with up to 10-year prison term, increasing penalties for this offense.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 16, 2026

HSB 641: A bill for an act relating to bail and bond amounts and conditions.

This bill (HSB 641) updates Iowa's bail and bond rules by requiring magistrates to set bail amounts at the state's uniform bond schedule level unless they provide written justification for a lower amount. It restricts release without payment (on "own recognizance") to defendants charged only with nonviolent, nondrug misdemeanors, removing previous eligibility for other offenses. The bill also eliminates the previous 10% cap on cash deposits for appearance bonds and mandates the judicial council to update the bond schedule for inflation by 2027. These changes apply directly to defendants facing pretrial release decisions in Iowa courts.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRestricts release without payment to nonviolent misdemeanors only, removes 10% cash deposit cap, and mandates uniform bail schedules - tightening pretrial detention rules.85% confidence

Track

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SSB 3035: A bill for an act relating to controlled substances schedules and precursor substances reporting requirements, making penalties applicable, and including effective date provisions.

This bill adds specific synthetic opioids and related compounds to Iowa's most restrictive controlled substances schedule. It directly affects anyone possessing, distributing, or manufacturing these substances, including new fentanyl variants like "Butonitazene" and "Flunitazene," as well as compounds like "Metodesnitazene" and "ethylphenidate." The law establishes penalties: violations can result in a Class B felony (25-year minimum prison term plus $5,000-$100,000 fine), Class C felony, or aggravated misdemeanor. The changes align Iowa's law with federal chemical designations under Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds synthetic opioids to strictest drug schedule with 25-year minimums, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties - directly opposes reform by hardening sentencing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy

Track

in committee · Iowa · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SF 2115: A bill for an act relating to sexual exploitation of a minor and deferred and suspended sentences.

This bill (SF 2115) changes sentencing rules for certain sexual exploitation of minors cases in Iowa. It prohibits judges from granting deferred or suspended sentences to individuals convicted under Iowa Code section 728.12 when the victim was under 12 years old or prepubescent at the time of the offense. The key provision amends sentencing guidelines to automatically disqualify offenders in these specific cases from receiving lenient sentencing options. This directly affects convicted offenders of severe sexual exploitation crimes involving very young children, ensuring they face immediate sentencing consequences.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill eliminates deferred/suspended sentences for severe minor exploitation cases, increasing mandatory penalties and restricting judicial leniency in sentencing.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

Track

in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SF 2012: A bill for an act establishing the offense of assault by criminal groping, and providing penalties.

SF 2012 creates a new criminal offense called "assault by criminal groping" for intentional touching of specific body areas (like inner thighs, groin, or breasts) without the intent to commit sexual abuse. First offenses are classified as serious misdemeanors, repeat offenses escalate to aggravated misdemeanors or class D felonies, and courts may require sex offender registration (tier I for victims 14+, tier II for victims under 14) if the act is deemed sexually motivated. The law directly affects individuals committing such acts in Iowa and defines the specific body parts and penalty structure.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by creating new offense with escalating penalties, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of expanded criminalization.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

Track

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 16, 2026

HF 2111: A bill for an act relating to deferred or suspended sentences for cases involving sexual exploitation of a minor.

HF 2111 amends Iowa law to explicitly prohibit courts from deferring or suspending sentences for individuals convicted of sexual exploitation of a minor under Iowa Code section 728.12. The bill directly affects sentencing decisions in cases involving this specific offense, which involves the sexual exploitation of minors. It updates sentencing rules (Section 907.3) to state that courts may not defer judgment or suspend sentences for violations of section 728.12, reinforcing an existing restriction. This change ensures that offenders in these serious cases face immediate sentencing consequences without the option of deferred judgment or suspended sentences. The bill applies to all cases where the underlying offense is defined in section 728.12.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeProhibits deferred/suspended sentences for sexual exploitation of minors, reducing judicial discretion and increasing mandatory sentencing for this offense.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

Track

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 4, 2026

SF 2155: A bill for an act relating to schedule III controlled substances, and making penalties applicable.

SF 2155 reclassifies misoprostol, mifepristone, and methotrexate as Schedule III controlled substances in Iowa. This would make distributing or dispensing these medications a class C felony, punishable by fines between $1,000 and $50,000. The bill directly affects healthcare providers, pharmacies, and anyone involved in supplying these medications. It changes the legal status of these drugs from non-controlled to controlled substances with specific criminal penalties. The bill is currently under review by the Judiciary Committee.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeReclassifies abortion medications as Schedule III controlled substances, imposing class C felony penalties for distribution, directly expanding criminalization under criminal justice framework.95% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRestricts access to abortion medications (mifepristone, misoprostol) by criminalizing distribution, directly limiting healthcare services and patient access.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Iowa · Senate Mar 2, 2026

SF 2035: A bill for an act related to eluding, including aggravated eluding and fresh pursuit, and providing penalties.

This bill creates a new offense called "aggravated eluding" in Iowa law. It makes it a class D felony (carrying up to 5 years in prison and a $1,025-$10,245 fine) for a driver who, while being chased by police within Iowa, knowingly crosses into another state without yielding to the officer. The bill also allows Iowa police to continue pursuing and arresting such drivers in other states during "fresh pursuit" (defined as pursuit without unreasonable delay), requiring them to report the arrest to the other state's authorities and follow extradition rules. It directly affects drivers fleeing police across state lines and law enforcement officers conducting cross-state pursuits.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for eluding police (class D felony), expanding criminalization and harsher sentencing without reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Policing

Track

introduced · Iowa · Legislature

5521DP: Controlled Substances (5521DP) - Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing, Department of

This bill adds 15 specific synthetic drugs - including fentanyl analogs like "Butonitazene," "Flunitazene," and "para-chlorofentanyl," plus compounds like "dipentylone" and "ethylphenidate" - to Iowa's controlled substances schedule under Section 124.204. It updates Iowa's law to align with federal designations in Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Violating these new schedule classifications carries penalties: class B felony (25-year mandatory minimum + $5,000-$100,000 fine), class C felony (up to 10 years + $1,000-$50,000), or aggravated misdemeanor (up to 2 years + $855-$8,540). The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds synthetic drugs to controlled substances schedule with 25-year mandatory minimums, expanding criminalization and harsh sentencing per bill's penalties95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Sentencing

Track

introduced · Iowa · Legislature

5449XD: Correctional Facilities, Contraband (5449XD) - Corrections, Department of

This bill (5449XD) makes possessing certain items in Iowa correctional facilities a class D felony. It defines "restricted or disruptive contraband" as non-illegal items (like tobacco, cell phones, money, or synthetic drugs) prohibited by facilities for security reasons. Possessing such items carries a penalty of up to 5 years in prison, and any punishment must be served consecutively to the inmate's existing sentence. The bill also creates an aggravated misdemeanor for failing to report contraband to facility staff. It directly affects inmates in Iowa's state correctional facilities.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill classifies possession of non-illegal items (tobacco, phones, money) in prisons as class D felony with consecutive sentencing, expanding criminalization and increasing mandatory penalties.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

Track